About this project

Rubber Band machine Gun

$13,435

pledged of $10,000 goal

236

backers

Let's Rock and Roll

The RBmG (Rubber Band Machine Gun) is a fully automatic, rapid fire gun that shoots rubber bands like nobody's business. Press the trigger and a battery powered electric motor operates to fire ammo continuously while you hold the trigger. Finally, here's your chance to "fire your gun in the air while shouting 'Arrhhhhhh'."

The RBmG ships as a kit of laser cut wood parts that you can assemble in about 30 minutes. Tools required are screwdrivers and pliers. Not only is it fun to fire rubber bands in full rock and roll mode, the kit is a great opportunity for education, hidden in a fun form. Learn about electric motors, and simple machines, then blast some soda cans into oblivion.

Online buzz about RBmG

New Feature Added, Speed Loader Magazine

We've heard feedback from our backers asking for a "spare mag" option. So we updated the design to allow for a "speed loader mag". Buy an extra magazine and pre-load it. Then when you run dry, you just pop in another magazine, connect the string to the motorized drum, and you're back in the action. Below is a quick demo video of the speed loader mag in action. We are including a free extra mag with all "In Time for Xmas" $59 rewards. Note this is for guaranteed delivery in US by Xmas only.

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Christmas Delivery Questions

We have received a lot of questions about delivery in time for Christmas. We created a special reward for this (the "In Time for Xmas" for $59) and limited the number. We did this because we have a limited capacity for production before Christmas. We will try very hard to get every unit shipped by 5 December, but if we get more orders than we can handle in that time frame, then we give priority to the "In Time" reward units.

New Reward, cost reduced version $39

XYZbot was at the Colorado Maker Faire on Oct 5 and took feedback from attendees. A lower cost was one thing we heard a lot, so we made up an RBmG out of a lower cost plywood and showed it and it was well received, so we're offering that now.

What are funds used for?

We will apply funding to make tooling for custom parts, and to get our equipment in shape for mass manufacturing. For instance, we own a laser cutter but we need to replace some parts in it to get ready to make hundreds or even thousands of RBmGs.

History of the project

Everyone at some point has loaded a rubber band onto their index finger, pulled it back and let it fly. When I was 10 or so I built a "gun" that could fire 20 rubber bands using some two by fours and clothes pins. Many years later, I saw some rubber band guns in Japan. There is a surprising subculture there with building rubber band guns. Not just toys but genuine works of art. It made me remember my clothes pin special, and I decided to revisit that childhood invention. A few months of trying various harebrained ideas later, and the RBmG project is ready. This has been one of the most fun projects that we have worked on, and after all is said and done, that is really what motivates us to do these projects; being creative and having some laughs.

The RBmG offered on Kickstarter is the 10'th version. Below are some sketches and prototypes of the design's evolution.

We have built more than a dozen RBmGs, tested with friends, and worked out the kinks. We solved problems with rough operation, speeded up rate of fire, and made it easier to assemble. It is ready for the production line.

Small Scale "Garage" Manufacturing

We have embraced wholeheartedly the idea of small scale "garage" manufacturing. We are a tiny startup company of creative, imaginative folk determined to make quality products, and most importantly, to have fun doing it. With the tools available today, computer design, laser cutters, and 3D printers, it is possible for "the little guy" to carve out a place. We think it's a really exciting time for small businesses despite the current economic problems. Help us to make this a reality.

Debut of RBmG at Maker Faire in Colorado

We showed the RBmG to the public for the first time on Saturday Oct 5 2013 at the NoCo Mini Maker Faire in Loveland, Colorado. It was a great show with makers, both private and vendors showing their stuff. Over 3000 people attended. The RBmG was well received by young and old alike. Quick video below.

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Exotic Wood Reward

For the "rare gun collector", we offer the Exotic Wood reward. An RBmG made with high quality exotic wood. Below are woods that are available for the Exotic Wood Reward for $350.

Risks and challenges

Manufacturing Experience: When Kickstarter projects are late, it's frequently because the inventor didn't know how to take the great idea made in the garage into a product that can be manufactured by the hundreds or thousands. We have proven that we know how to do this. We ran a successful kickstarter campaign ; Fritz: The Robotic Puppet. We made over 300 units and shipped them ahead of schedule. Fritz is a much more complicated machine than the RBmG.

Design Experience: XYZbot's engineers have over 30 years of combined engineering design experience. And over 15 years in manufacturing. We know how to make a reliable product, and manufacture it in bulk.

Can we make them in time for Christmas? We have a limited reward that we commit to deliver in time for Xmas, and in the US only. Sorry international backers, but international shipping can be unpredictable. We only commit to US delivery by Xmas.

So what are risks? Quantity. We can support 2000-3000 orders in a 3 month time frame. For orders beyond that, we have contingency plans drawn up to expand our capacity with more equipment and personnel.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $59 or more
About $59

In time for Christmas RBmG standard kit. This limited run is guaranteed to be delivered in time for Christmas. Sorry, USA shipping addresses only. International shipping makes it impossible for us to guarantee delivery in time.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $350 or more
About $350

Exotic wood RBmG. This is a special edition RBmG made with exotic wood that you choose. A true collectors edition item. And we'll add custom engraving with your name or whatever text you like on your custom RBmG.